Wake Forest has produced a long line of basketball greats, players alumni still talk about with remarkable precision, recalling exactly how many times they watched them cross Hearn Plaza. Names like Tim Duncan, Chris Paul and Rodney Rogers instantly transport Demon Deacon fans back to the glory days of ACC basketball. 

Years from now, current Wake Forest students will remember the way his name echoed through the Joel, adding Juke Harris to that list.

The sophomore guard, without a doubt, has emerged as the face of Wake Forest Men’s Basketball program. In his second season, Harris averaged 21.7 points per game, an accomplishment that no Demon Deacon has achieved since Duncan in 1997. That scoring average ranks third in the ACC, trailing only Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie and Duke’s Cameron Boozer.  

Harris made one of his biggest leaps in the conference, increasing his scoring average by 15.6 points per game from the 2024-2025 season. That improvement earned him the title of ACC Most Improved Player, making him the second Wake Forest player to win the award, joining John Collins (2016-2017). The conference also recognized Harris with a second-team all-ACC selection.  

Harris delivered several standout performances this season, scoring 30 or more points in three games. His most memorable outing came against Boston College, where he poured in a career-high 38 points despite a 1-point loss.  

In addition to his stellar shooting, Harris averaged 6.7 rebounds per game, the 13th highest average in the ACC, showcasing his all-around impact. If his sophomore season is any indication, his name is well on its way to joining the ranks of Wake Forest’s all-time greats.

Tonight, Wake Forest takes on Virginia Tech at 7:00 p.m. at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C, the teams’ third match-up this season. As has been the case all season, whether the Deacs come out on top will likely rely on Harris’ performance.  

Go Deacs!